Social and Emotional Wellness Resources

If you, or someone you know, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:

• Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
• Find emotional health resources near you by clicking here

In these challenging times, it's important to be mindful of your own mental and emotional health and the mental and emotional wellness of your family. Take time each day to do things that bring you joy or help you relax: take a walk (while maintaining physical distancing guidelines), play a game with your family, cook a healthy meal together, or watch a favorite movie. Here are some tips to take care of yourself during this difficult time:

• Limit your time on social media/news outlets – constant immersion in stressful information (and sometimes misinformation!) can cause negative emotional impact.
• Obtain updates and news from reliable sources, such as your state, county and city government and public health departments, the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO).
• Social distancing practices are important, but so are human relationships. In-person contact should be limited, but not use of technology! Stay in touch with friends and family with phone calls, FaceTime or other video chat services.
• Maintain your normal sleep/wake cycles and create a daily routine if you are experiencing schedule changes due to school closures, work closures/reduction in hours. Keeping a consistent routine will help reduce anxiety and offer healthy means of distraction.

• Take care of your body by eating healthy foods, getting enough rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

Children and Stress

It's important to understand that children may also be experiencing anxiety. Here are some resources for parents about how to talk with your kids about stay-at-home policies, school closures, social distancing and news they may be hearing about COVID-19.

For Younger Children

• Zero to Three created a list of resources and tips for families with young children.
• PBS has a list of videos from Sesame Street, Curious George and other shows that talk about hand washing and staying healthy.
• NPR created a comic to explain coronavirus to kids, along with concepts like hand washing, sneezing into your elbow and avoiding touching your face.

For Older Children and Teens

• The American Academy of Pediatrics released recommendations regarding supporting teens through COVID-19.
• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America wrote an article about how to talk to your anxious child or teenager about coronavirus.
• The New York Times wrote an article about five ways to help teens manage anxiety about coronavirus.
• UNICEF wrote an article directed at teens with strategies for how they can protect their mental health.

For Parents and Caregivers

• The CDC has recommendations for parents about how to manage stress and support children during this time.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network released a parent/caregiver guide to helping families cope with coronavirus, which includes common reactions as well as how to help kids based on age group.
• The National Association of School Psychologists released recommendations for helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19, including being out of school.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics released tips about positive parenting and keeping calm at home during COVID-19.
• Child Mind Institute wrote an article about how to avoid passing anxiety on to your kids and ways parents can model managing their own anxiety.
• PBS wrote an article about parenting during coronavirus.

Other Resources for Families

• How to Talk to Your Kids About School Closures Because of COVID-19 - Valley Children's Healthcare
• How to Talk to Kids About COVID-19 - Handout from the Assocation of Child Life Professionals
• Working and Learning from Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak - HealthyChildren.org/American Academy of Pediatrics
• Tips for Staying Connected, Active and Engaged as a Family - Coronavirus Resources from PreventChildAbuse.org

Support from Employers

Please contact your employer to obtain information about Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services available. These resources can help support your emotional well-being with helpful tips for coping with stress during an infectious disease outbreak as well as other resources to help with work-life balance and managing personal challenges or emotional needs.

If you do not have access to EAP services, or your child needs support, you may also access local and national behavioral health resources. Contact your health insurance provider to request a list of in-network behavioral health providers.

State and County Behavioral Health Resources

There are many state and county resources you can reach out to for support, whether you feel overwhelmed and are worried you or someone you know is a danger to themselves or others, are thinking about coping with stress and anxiety in unhealthy ways, or are worried about your safety at home during isolation. The State of California has prepared a comprehensive webpage full of resources for Californians seeking support during this difficult time.

You can also find county-by-county mental and behavioral health resources and hotlines below.

Other Fresno Area Crisis Assistance Resources

• Marjaree Mason Center
  • If you are a victim of domestic violence and need assistance, services remain available 24/7 by calling the hotline number (559-233-4357). Visit their website.
• MAP (Multi-Agency Access Program) at the Poverello House
  • Extended hours and expanded phone availability to assess for service needs and referrals. Contact them by calling 559-512-6777 or visit their website.
• Granville-Teague Community Resource Center
  • Centro La Familia continues to provide linkage to services (including Victim Services, Health & Wellness, and DACA/Immigration Services) while community center remains closed for events and gatherings. Contact them by calling 559-578-8991 or visit their website.